In a decisive move amid a turbulent Ethereum market, Trend Research has dramatically decreased its holdings of ether (ETH). The firm, engaged in cryptocurrency treasury management, transferred a substantial amount of its Ether to exchanges after observing significant price fluctuations.
Recent data analysis reveals that Trend Research began the week with approximately 651,000 Ether on the Aave platform, but by week”s end, this figure had plummeted to 247,000. This staggering reduction of over 400,000 Ether aligns with a steep 30% decline in the price of Ether, raising alarm over the company”s leveraged positions.
Under the strategic direction of Jack Yi, Trend Research utilized Ether as collateral across various protocols to borrow stablecoins for reinvestment purposes. The company”s rapid sell-off was influenced by declining prices nearing critical liquidation thresholds, with data indicating heightened risk levels. The price range of $1,562 to $1,698 pointed to the precarious nature of their investment strategy.
Trend Research”s accumulation of Ether began after the clearance of $19 billion in crypto assets in October 2025. By December, the firm had emerged as a significant player in the Ether investment landscape, although its absence from public company disclosures means these assets are not reflected in official reports.
Another institutional entity feeling the effects of the recent market downturn is BitMine Immersion Technologies. Managed by Tom Lee, BitMine currently holds around 4.28 million Ether, suffering unrealized losses exceeding $7 billion as a result of the recent price movements. The company shifted from Bitcoin mining to a focus on Ethereum in 2025, acquiring Ether at prices between $3,800 and $3,900 per unit, which positioned it as one of the largest institutional Ether investors.
The significant price drop has adversely affected both BitMine”s portfolio and its share value. Presently, the company controls approximately 3.5% of the total supply of Ethereum, with aspirations to increase this stake to 5%. Furthermore, BitMine intends to launch its validator network by 2026, highlighting the need for robust risk management and diversification strategies among institutional investors within the Ethereum ecosystem.
